State Issues Transportation Grants

TRENTON – New Jersey will issue $78.75 million in New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) municipal aid grants to fund street improvement, rehabilitation and safety projects in 372 New Jersey towns, a move intended to create jobs and help keep property taxes in check statewide.

“Rebuilding the state’s infrastructure, from roads to bridges to mass transit, is going to be central to both getting us out of the recession and positioning New Jersey to take advantage when the economy recovers,” said Gov. Jon Corzine. “This year’s municipal aid program will provide road improvements, property tax relief, and economic growth – three elements that are key to New Jersey’s turnaround and success.”

Projects in several Middlesex County municipalities will receive state funding:

Projects in several Union County municipalities will also receive state funding:

Berkeley Heights — Kline Boulevard — $200,000

Clark — Ridge Road and Hilltop Avenue — $200,000

Cranford — Township Holly Street (Section 2) — $200,000

Elizabeth — Henry Street — $215,592

Fanwood — Belvidere Avenue — $200,000

Garwood — Various Streets— $190,000

Hillside — Winans Avenue (Section 2) — $141,131

Kenilworth — Various Streets — $175,000

Linden –Various Streets — $225,000

Mountainside — Glen Road — $175,000

New Providence — Livingston Avenue (Section 2) — $185,000

Plainfield — South Second Street — $239,161

Rahway — Various Streets — $241,035

Roselle — Various Streets — $229,067

Roselle Park — East Grant Avenue (Section 3) — $200,000

Scotch Plains — Morse Avenue (Section 3) — $200,000

Springfield — Tree Top Road — $200,000

Summit City — Woodland Avenue (Section 2) — $221,000

Union — Commerce Avenue — $230,000

Westfield — Willow Grove Road — $175,000.00

Municipal aid grants provide funding to municipalities that would otherwise devote local tax revenue to road improvement projects. Municipal governments maintain over 25,000 miles, or approximately 70 percent, of New Jersey’s 36,000 miles of roadway. Local property taxes seldom provide sufficient funds for proper roadway repair and maintenance.

NJDOT invites municipalities to apply for municipal aid funding. The grant program covers a variety of projects, including road resurfacing, rehabilitation, reconstruction and signalization. Municipalities are encouraged to apply for funding for projects that support walking and biking as part of Corzine’s Pedestrian Safety Initiative.

NJDOT allots each county a specific funding amount based on its population and road mileage and distributes funds to towns based on field investigations and engineering evaluations of proposed projects.NJDOT provides 75 percent of the grant amount when it awards a contract and the remaining 25 percent upon completion of the project.